I've been a couple times for dinner and drinks downstairs at the Schaumburg John Barleycorn. I think the food is not expensive at all, and everything I've had is really good - it's exactly what you're expecting walking in the door. The downstairs bar is what someone who's over the ""club scene"" is looking for - good drinks, good atmosphere, although you can stay in the restaurant area and have drinks and discussion for hours. I had the ""pleasure"" of being roped into some sort of 13-year high school reunion this past weekend in the upstairs club area of the establishment. I guess it's been way too long since I've wanted (or cared about) that scene - it was ridiculous. The music is definitely too loud to allow for conversation. The drinks were fine - we had two hours all you could drink for $25/person. After that, call liquor drinks were $7. The scene was a spectacle, for sure. Girls (early 20 somethings) wearing things too short and too plunging that shouldn't be, guys dressed like pimps and looking like they could probably shave once a week and be fine, and seriously two girls dressed like tramps dancing on the stage to the ridiculous club music. If that's your scene, hey, it's only $10 to get in - go for it. Otherwise, I recommend you stay downstairs and enjoy the bar and restaurant down there. You'll be none the wiser, and ignorance is truly bliss in this situation!
Pros: Great bar and restaurant downstairs, good value on food and alright on drinks
Cons: Upstairs isn't for everyone, insufficient parking
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